If you’ve always wondered how the Space Needle came to be—or if you’d like to know why Seattle Center was almost named “Pleasure Island,” grab a seat at a special Elliott Bay Books event this Saturday.

The eminent local experts on Seattle history (not to mention monopolizers of the most entertaining World’s Fair trivia) are assembling to talk about the impact of—and the intriguing characters behind—Century 21.

Among these experts is Seattle mag’s own editor-at-large Knute Berger, who has written extensively on the subject in our pages this year (check out his essay “Back to the Future” or his column “When Mad Men Ran Seattle”). Arrive at 2 p.m. to hear Berger share some of the fascinating insights he learned as writer-in-residence at the Space Needle last year, an honor which culminated in his literally writing the book on the Space Needle.

At 3 p.m., Berger will be joined by History Link‘s Paula Becker and Alan J. Stein, as well as novelist Jim Lynch, who have each contributed to their own impressive histories of the World’s Fair. You won’t regret spending a Saturday afternoon with these knowledgeable Seattleites.

Bonus: Arosa Cafe will serve free samples of Strawberries & Cream Belgian Waffles, one of the World Fair’s most popular original attractions.

7/14, 2 p.m. Free. Elliott Bay Books, 1521 Tenth Ave., 206.624.6600; elliottbaybook.com